Bought a 2000 Limited XJ a couple weekends ago, it's mint aside from the rear diff - evidently they did a lot of towing, and the spider gears/pinion bearings are almost gone, at 133k.

My local U Pull It has about ten different 8.25s for me to choose from, so I'm going to pick one off a newer Cherokee/Grand Cherokee that doesn't have the towing package.

Questions:

1.) How hard is it to swap in another 8.25?
2.) What tools will I need?
3.) How long will it take me to remove the 8.25 from the vehicle at the junkyard?
4.) How long will it take to install the new 8.25 on my Jeep?

Thanks! =D

 

2 ubolts (4 nuts) per side.

4 bolts on the driveshaft yoke,

the junction block for the brakes on the axle soft line and then the Ebrake cables


disconnect it. Depending on rust and how difficult the ebrake cables are about 30 minutes to 2 hours.


install will the the exact same. pick up new u-bolts and instal will be about 30 minutes once yours is removed

 

...that sounds ridiculously simple o.O

 

Do NOT get an avle from a GRAND Cherokee, unless you have already converted to Coil sprung rear. Besides the Grand come with a D35 and an Aluminum D44. Get an 8.25 from a 97 or later XJ. Make sure the gearing is the same as what you currently have. 96 XJ forgot to un bolt the shocks. But he's right. Start to finish, I can have my axle out and back in and on the road in under 1 hour. I am NOT a mechanic.

 

it is a un bolt/bolt in job since it is a factory replacement axle if you were pulling it out of an other vehicle then you have to fab spring perches and what not.

 

Thanks for the info guys. Sounds like I'm going to do this instead of rebuilding mine.

So, '97 and up? Howcome?

 

Slightly heavier duty. 29 spline axles, instead of 27, i think.